Homemade Laundry Detergent

I started on the road to less chemical, more natural cleaners out of… boredom. I got tired of buying the same ole cleaners, so I decided to try my luck with making up my own! I then saw how frugal this was, the freedom to add/take away ingredients to make the best cleaner for my home, and also the fun in choosing what scent I wanted my cleaners to be (Young Living’s Purification essential oil blend is my favorite!). Yay! for one less toxic cleaner in my house.

One gallon of this homemade laundry detergent costs about 25¢ I wash about two loads of laundry a day (10-15 a week)! I am very picky about only using my little girls’ blankets once, all of son’s clothes are only worn once before washing (boys stink!), and I wash ALL bedding (sheets, blankets, and quilts) every week. So, being frugal in the laundry room is a must for my family!

Laundry Detergent

(recipe is for one gallon. I use leftover Vinegar bottles from Costco for storing.)
3 tablespoons Borax
3 tablespoons Washing Soda
2 tablespoons Castile Soap
5 drops of Purification essential oil

Use a funnel to add the ingredients to your detergent container. Then, add 4 cups of VERY hot water through the funnel. Swirl around to blend. Then, fill up to a gallon with cold water by pouring 2 cups at a time through the funnel. I marked a line with permanent marker so I don’t have to count the amount that I am pouring in. Put the lid on and give it a good shake. Add as much as you want to a load, because it’s cheap!!! (But seriously, about a cup should work).

Variations: 

• Add Vinegar to the wash cycle for very dirty loads.
• If you use Thieves Cleaner already from Young Living, then add 1 capful to the ingredients of the gallon as an excellent stain remover.
• Interested in replacing your fabric softener and dryer sheets? Read another Drops of Faith member’s recipe for Wool Dryer Balls!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let us know by commenting below if you make it for your home.

*Where to Buy:
Borax and Washing Soda can be found in the detergent aisle of Wal-Mart and cleaning products aisle of Ace Hardware. I use unscented and order from Amazon if I can not find it at Marshall’s or HomeGoods.